Moral support, strategic reasoning, or domestic politics America's continual support for Israel

Abstract

Since Israel came into existence in 1948, the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv has been unique and controversial. The conventional wisdom suggests that the relationship between the United States and Israel is driven by moral affinities and strategic reasoning. In March 2006, John Mearsheimer and Steven Walt suggested that Jewish interest groups and their persuasive tactics are the only reasons for continued U.S. support to Israel. This thesis described the different factors that promote close U.S.-Israel relations and identifies a competing explanation for U.S. support for Israel based on evangelical ideology.